Ukrainian intelligence has confirmed that Russia is forming combat battalions comprised of Ukrainian prisoners of war, according to Andriy Pasternak, head of the Unified Center for the Coordination of the Search and Release of Prisoners of War and Unlawfully Detained Persons under the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Meanwhile, disputes over prisoner exchange lists continue between Kyiv and Moscow, with both sides accusing the other of obstructing the return of detainees.
Intelligence Reports on Prisoner Combat Units
Ukrainian authorities have formally confirmed the existence of combat units formed from captured Ukrainian soldiers. During a press conference, Andriy Pasternak stated that the SBU, alongside foreign intelligence and military intelligence agencies, is actively documenting these instances. "We know about such battalions," Pasternak said, noting that state services are tracking the development as part of the broader conflict.
While reports of these units have circulated in media outlets previously, this confirmation from the SBU marks an official acknowledgment of the practice by the Ukrainian government.
Ongoing Disputes Over Prisoner Exchanges
The stalemate over prisoner swaps remains a point of contention between the two nations. Yana Lantratova, a Russian ombudsman, recently released a list of 224 Ukrainian prisoners of war, claiming that Russia is prepared to exchange them but that Kyiv has refused to facilitate the process.
Conversely, the Ukrainian-backed project "I Want to Find"—which monitors the status of captured or missing Russian personnel—has accused Moscow of intentionally excluding specific prisoners from exchange lists. According to the project’s findings, Russian authorities are reportedly omitting individuals captured in occupied regions of Ukraine from current negotiations. Moscow has denied these allegations, maintaining that it is the Ukrainian government that refuses to accept its own citizens.
Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, thousands of prisoners have been exchanged, including a notable agreement in May that saw 1,000 prisoners released by each side.
Humanitarian Stakes and Casualty Figures
The human cost of the conflict continues to mount as exchange negotiations fluctuate. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, announced that the deaths of 375 Ukrainian citizens while in Russian captivity have been confirmed to date. These figures highlight the urgency surrounding the exchange process and the vulnerability of those held behind front lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are prisoner exchanges still happening?
Yes, though the process has become increasingly complex. While thousands have been exchanged since 2022, recent months have seen public disagreements over eligibility lists and administrative hurdles.
What is the "I Want to Find" project?
It is a Ukrainian-supported initiative designed to track the status of missing or captured Russian military personnel, often used to facilitate information flow between families and the government.
What does the SBU say about prisoner battalions?
Andriy Pasternak of the SBU confirmed that Ukrainian intelligence services are documenting evidence of Russia forming combat battalions out of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
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